Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Mounties in Richmond warn of romance-investment scams costing some over $16M

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Mar, 2024 12:43 PM
  • Mounties in Richmond warn of romance-investment scams costing some over $16M

Mounties in Richmond are warning the public after a "significant rise" in romance scams and investment schemes in the city, with a loss of more than $16 million last year.

Police say they received 87 reports of romance crimes in 2023, and the trend continues this year with another 12 cases being reported between January to March with nearly $500,000 lost.

RCMP say these "long-con scams" involve grooming of the victims over weeks or months to nurture the relationship enough to convince them to invest their money in the fraud scheme.

The criminals usually find their victims through dating websites or other social media, and police say they entice them with false promises of profit, and may even show fake returns on initial investments, before their victims are financially ruined.

The scams usually involve cryptocurrencies, and police say they believe the actual number of victims may be higher as some might hesitant to come forward due to embarrassment or fear.

Police say people need to stay cautious and be skeptical of unsolicited contacts, especially from “overly attractive” profiles or strangers who show romantic interests.

MORE National ARTICLES

Hunger on the Rise Canadian Food Banks in High Demand

Hunger on the Rise Canadian Food Banks in High Demand
Earlier this year, there were an unprecedented 1.9 million visits to food banks in Canada. This is a 32% increase from 2022 and a 78% increase since before the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, food banks are approaching 2024 with growing concerns as the sustained increase in demand places additional strain on their resources and capacities.

Hunger on the Rise Canadian Food Banks in High Demand

BC snowmobiler dead

BC snowmobiler dead
Police in eastern British Columbia are warning backcountry users to be ready for emergencies after a snowmobiler was killed and two skiers had to be rescued this week in separate incidents. RCMP in the Golden-Field detachment say the death happened on Jan. 21 when a snowmobile driven by a 24-year-old man left the trail down a steep embankment and hit some trees.

BC snowmobiler dead

Spike expected in homes sales in 2024

Spike expected in homes sales in 2024
Homes sales in the province are forecast to increase this year by 7.8 per cent, in what the B-C Real Estate Association says will be a delicate balance for the market. The association’s Brian Ogmundson says headwinds slowed last year’s sales with elevated mortgage rates, but the recent decline in fixed mortgage rates and the potential for Bank of Canada rate cuts make it a more optimistic year. 

Spike expected in homes sales in 2024

Manager in fatal B.C. rooming house fire calls for better fire safety training

Manager in fatal B.C. rooming house fire calls for better fire safety training
The manager of a Vancouver rooming house that was the site of a fatal fire in 2022 broke down in tears at an inquest, telling the jury that staff needed better training in fire safety. Gina Vanemberg testified that a "red book" with fire safety procedures was given to her when she became manager of the Winters Hotel in 2020, but no one from her employer, Atira Property Management, went over the paperwork or confirmed that she read it.

Manager in fatal B.C. rooming house fire calls for better fire safety training

Military 'will be there' for Canadians in emergencies despite resource strain: Blair

Military 'will be there' for Canadians in emergencies despite resource strain: Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair says the military's greatest responsibility is protecting Canadians, and his government intends to keep calling on them for help in domestic emergencies. Blair says he knows responding to natural disasters puts a lot of pressure on the Armed Forces, which is dealing with a personnel shortage of more than 16,000 troops. 

Military 'will be there' for Canadians in emergencies despite resource strain: Blair

Vancouver approves high-density Jericho Lands project criticized by some residents

Vancouver approves high-density Jericho Lands project criticized by some residents
Vancouver's city council has approved a high-density development concept for a 36-hectare site on the city's west side, involving13,000 new homes. The Council says the Jericho Lands Policy Statement sets the direction for development of the land owned by a joint venture that includes three First Nations.

Vancouver approves high-density Jericho Lands project criticized by some residents